Music & Arts Blog
Stars on the Field
On April 16th, we hosted a truly wonderful Christian band called Starfield (www.starfieldonline.com). While the turnout was not as we had hoped, nonetheless, we enjoyed an amazing night of energetic, heart-felt worship. Brothers Jon and Tim Neufield, the front-men for Starfield, presented themselves with such professionalism, humility and transparency. This is the second time that I personally have been able to work with these guys and I can't say enough about their integrity, humor, and love for Christ. It was a joy to be with them again!
Interestingly, the highlight of the whole day for me might not be what one would expect. The most impressive part of the day took place in the morning - during the "load in" with a group of 12 men (a biblical number?)... Here are the guys:
Jim Barton
Denny Dahl
Larry Dearing
Matt Falk
Larry Finley
Earl Johnson
Bill Zabel
Jon Zabel
Brian Moody
Danny Posthuma (and his friend CJ)
Bruce Eldridge
These men not only worked very hard and skillfully for several hours, but did so with joy. To set up what you see in the picture took sweat and strain...but we had the right group for the mission! In fact, Mat Crisp, Starfield's tour manager, said he had never worked with such quick and skilled volunteers. That is something to celebrate!
But even MORE inspiring than that was the reality that the majority of these men who helped set up for the concert, didn't attend the concert (even though they could have...for FREE). What??? Why? Well, simply stated, the style of music that Starfield represents isn't exactly their 'cup of tea'.
Here's a group of men that served...simply to serve. Any other motivation need not apply. What an amazing testimony to the faithfulness and character of our volunteers at 1BL. I thank God for these type of attitudes in our church... The rest of the volunteers who gave of their time are to be commended, too... Without their help at merch tables, ushering, ticketing, and tear-down, we would have been sunk. Thanks to:
Liz Zabel
Sarah Nitikman
Dave Dahl
Pat Kinney
Roy Kinney
Trent Lewis
Beth Medley
Kathy Smalley
Holly Ignas
Mike Ignas
You are the true stars on the field. May God bless you for your gracious outpouring.
-Jeff
One
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Are we exerting ourselves to the point of blood, sweat, and tears to ensure that the Spirit of Christ, who is one with us (1 Cor. 6:17), is making us one with each other?
Blessed are the peacemakers...
Who do you need to make peace with today? Let's do the hard work of becoming a people who make 1BL a place where peace and unity abound. Amen?
Don't Freak Out - Just Trust
I loved the sermon this weekend. Pastor Brent exhorted us to stand firm on our new lives. Christ has given us new birth into a living hope through His resurrection says 1st Peter 1:3. The NEWNESS of life, the hope of being FOREVER with him, must always be in front of us as we go through various trials and hardships. Then we can authentically respond out of a deeply rooted JOY no matter what we are facing.
I was reading John 14:1-4 today where Jesus basically says, "Don't freak out! Just trust me. I'm building your eternity and I'll be back soon to take you there."
Wow... I can't wait!!!!
Let's live this week with a pep in our step for what we have to look forward to! Don't freak out. Just trust.
[And as always, let's keep Lakewood & Long Beach in our prayers...that we as a church would continue to follow God's call to be salt and light in our little sphere in Southern California and around the world.]
Worship Song of the Week
Joy Has Come
And speaking of singing, we can’t contain our excitement in Music and Arts when we’ve seen a commitment of more than 60 people to sing in our Christmas concert. From zero to 60 in three months! That’s something to celebrate!
Come the new year, our choir will begin in earnest under the leadership of an additional full-time Music Pastor (Choir and Orchestra Director). We’re beside ourselves giddy to announce that Bruce Eldridge will be joining our staff in this capacity! Bruce served at the First Baptist Church of Lakewood as a music intern from 1973-1978, then as Minister of Music from 1978-1990. He was a beloved pastor and left an indelible mark of excellence and God-honoring worship through music. The foundations that were laid by Bruce and his predecessors, Johnny Hallet and Dick Anthony, have inspired and reminded us of the unique fingerprint God has given this church in musical ministry. We believe a commitment to excellence in choral and orchestral music is a must for us to move forward with integrity, heeding God’s call for Lakewood’s future, and rounding out a well-balanced music and arts ministry. Bruce is excited about being a part of this new season and using his gifts and talents to lead us to new horizons. He’ll be starting with us January 1st.
And just so you know, we’re more committed than ever in providing fresh, energetic, contemporary worship through song. We’re beginning to build a solid worship team rotation and look forward to shaping and honing the gifts God has entrusted to us. The next worship team audition will be held in February 2009, so stay tuned for more details.
In this Christmas season, we’re reminded that God became flesh. The Son of God, Jesus the Christ, was born to deliver us from our sins. Hebrews 12 tells us Jesus was filled with joy for his purpose, even in the face of an excruciating death on the cross. Jesus was filled with joy because he knew he would be bridging the gap between God and man, and that an eternal relationship with his beloved children would be made available in his death and resurrection. As we look to the manger, we remember the cross. And we’re filled with wonder and joy at God’s provision.
Joyously His,
Pastor Jeff
P.S. In case you haven’t heard, Joy Has Come {Christmas at Lakewood} is on December 21st at 4pm and 7pm. The concert is free and tickets can be picked up Sunday in the main lobby and on weekdays in the church office.
The Choir is Baaaaack!
The week prior, I was chatting with my friend and former choir and orchestra director, Kevin Ledbetter from Neighborhood Church in Castro Valley, about the upcoming rehearsal. I told him I would be very happy if 20 people came out. I would be ecstatic if 30 came. Well, we had 32 people show up Thursday night! And everyone came with their "A-game"...
The extremely talented, Harley-riding' jokester, Phil Davis, skillfully directed us through several legitimate choral pieces and it seemed as though the years of absence had no effect. It was heavenly. Our beloved Nancy Jensen graced the ivory keys of the piano and accompanied us right into the throne room of the Lord.
To say I'm excited is an understatement!
And you know what else!!?? Christmas is a-comin'! (Yeah, it will be here before ya know it!) And we are going to be putting on a Christmas concert to remember! Speaking of remember.... Remember Bruce Eldridge, the legendary worship pastor and choir/orchestra director of Lakewood's yesteryear? Well, he has agreed to help us get rolling' this Christmas season by volunteering some time to direct our Christmas show! Man oh man!
Excitement is in the air. The voices of sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses can be heard emanating through the Tanglewood building once again. The choir is baaaaaack!
There's No Place Like Home
And now as I sit here in my office full of boxes...looking out the window at Bancroft Middle School and a Lakewood neighborhood full of hungry souls... I can't help but thank God for bringing us here again. And I pray that a new season of Kingdom harvest is ahead for Lakewood. That other people who call this area "home" will come to secure their "forever home" by trusting in the Lord Jesus.
Let's believe God for it! Amen and amen!